Land Rover’s latest and most capable model, the Defender 110, has now arrived in India at a starting price of ₹ 73.69 lakh. The model will be sold in five variants and will initially be available only as a five-door SUV. We give you an in-depth look at the legendary 4×4 to tell you what’s so special about it.
Traditional design
The new Defender is a huge evolution over the original, but still manages to look solidly built. It gets an upright stance along with short front and rear overhangs, and the squared-off wheel arches add to its appeal. The boxy headlamps and tail lamps remind us of the original. There’s a roof-mounted antenna that includes a rear-view camera that reflects on the ‘ClearSight’ interior rear view mirror. We also liked the Alpine light windows in the roof. It also comes with a few unique touches like the tailgate-mounted spare wheel and the side-hinged boot. You can choose from a variety of wheel patterns, with 18-inch and 20-inch wheels on offer.
A case of space
The top of the dashboard has a flat look and gets a 10-inch touchscreen in the middle and feels smooth to operate. It even features JLR’s latest Pivi Pro infotainment system. The AC controls and off-road settings are placed on the dashboard. You also get an optional jump seat at the front. The seats are wrapped in grained leather and woven textile. The fit and finish of plastics is excellent. You’ll have to climb up into the Land Rover cars with the help of the grab handles. The seats are huge and supportive and you get a good view from the cabin. There’s lots of space at the back and you sit high-up.
Lots to play with
On the equipment front, it gets goodies like a Meridian audio system, 360-degree surround camera, automatic climate control, connected car tech, 12-way electrically adjustable, heated front seats, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, panoramic sunroof, LED headlights, corner braking control, front and rear parking sensors, six airbags, traction control, blind spot assist, a lockable storage box and a roof-mounted ladder.
British muscle
The new Defender is powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine that makes 295bhp and 400Nm of torque, which helps this SUV sprint from 0-100kph in 8.1 seconds. It is paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission and features air suspension too. It gets a permanent four-wheel drive with a locking centre differential and active rear locking differential. There’s also Land Rover’s Terrain Response System. It also comes with a four-cylinder diesel and six-cylinder petrol engine. Expect the plug-in hybrid version to come soon as well. Also, read the latest car comparisons, only at autoX.
